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Edmonton \u2014 Women\u2019s flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield returns to Edmonton on Saturday, anchoring the co-main event of the UFC\u2019s latest Fight Night card opposite Canadian Jasmine Jasudavicius.<\/p>\n
The pair were supposed to face off in Philadelphia in August, which would have put the bout in Blanchfield\u2019s own back yard. Instead, she\u2019s now in hostile territory, fighting a Canadian at home. Though she has fond enough memories of her 2024 visit, when Blanchfield defeated \u201cThug\u201d Rose Namajunas.<\/p>\n
\u201cI fought in Edmonton before, so I feel like I have some good memories here. Definitely not my home, it\u2019s definitely her home, but I\u2019ll still make the most out of it,\u201d Blanchfield (14-2) told media outlets including Cageside Press during Wednesday\u2019s UFC Edmonton media day.<\/p>\n
The landscape of the women\u2019s 125lb division has changed in recent months. The injured Valentina Shevchenko, flyweight\u2019s biggest name, vacated her title, giving way to Natalia Silva vs. Wang Cong. Silva came out victorious earlier this month.<\/p>\n
Blanchfield, despite being rebooked with Jasudavicius, revealed on Wednesday that she had campaigned for the title shot against Silva.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I heard about the vacant title, I wanted that shot. I did ask for it, because I was already prepping for this fight, so I felt in good shape, I felt confident,\u201d she stated. \u201cIt just wasn\u2019t meant for me at the time. They wanted to use Wang Cong.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat fight\u2019s happened, I\u2019m happy I\u2019m able to fight so soon after them at least. So it\u2019s kind of still in everybody\u2019s mind, it\u2019s still fresh. It\u2019s another opportunity, another fight to sharpen up my skills.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, she\u2019s banking on a shot at gold should she earn a win in Edmonton this Saturday. Though ex-champ Alexa Grasso also remains in the running, as Blanchfield noted. It could all come down to a big performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely think an impressive finish in this fight will definitely put me ahead. Grasso\u2019s been doing really well too, but she\u2019s had her title shots obviously,\u201d said Blanchfield. \u201cI feel like I\u2019m someone that, I\u2019ve always been there, I\u2019ve been there a couple years now and I haven\u2019t had my opportunity yet. I feel like with a really dominant performance on Saturday, that should put me right in my place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keep in mind, there are few certainties in the UFC, and the promotion hasn\u2019t told her anything about a title shot, Blanchfield later told Cageside Press.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing\u2019s been said particularly, I feel like just with a really good win, I\u2019ll be in a good position,\u201d she noted. \u201cI\u2019ve been in this position for a while, so I feel like it\u2019s finally getting close to my time. And I just plan on making it that.\u201d<\/p>\n